TERRAN, Iran, On March 20, 2026, anger spread around the world after Iranian authorities publicly hanged three young men, including a 19-year-old wrestling prospect, over their alleged involvement in anti-government protests in January. Critics say the executions sent a blunt message: oppose the state, and risk death.
These were the first known hangings linked to the nationwide protests that broke out late last year. Rights groups quickly denounced the move, calling it a clear breach of fair trial rules and a sign that the Islamic Republic is relying more heavily on fear.
Iranian state outlets, including the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency, said the hangings took place on March 19 in Qom, south of Tehran. The three men, Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi, had been convicted of “moharebeh,” or waging war against God, which carries the death penalty under sharia law.
Officials said the men killed two police officers during clashes in Qom on January 8. State media also accused them of carrying out “operational actions” on behalf of Israel and the United States. According to official reports, the executions happened in front of a group of people, which led many observers to describe them as a public warning.
Human rights groups have offered a far darker account. They say the men were tortured into confessing, denied proper legal help, and pushed through rushed court proceedings with little or no due process.
Saleh Mohammadi’s Case Draws Global Attention
Saleh Mohammadi’s execution has sparked the strongest reaction abroad. The teenager had turned 19 only days before his death. He was part of Iran’s national wrestling team and won a bronze medal at the 2024 Saitiev Cup in Russia. He had competed outside Iran and was seen as a rising talent in the country’s wrestling scene.
Relatives and friends say Mohammadi rejected the charges in court and said his confession had been forced. Amnesty International had already raised alarm about his case, saying the fast-track process looked nothing like a real trial.
The other two men, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, were also young protesters arrested during the same unrest. Less is publicly known about their personal backgrounds, but authorities tied all three to the deadly confrontations in Qom.
How the January Protests Spread Across Iran
The case grew out of protests that began in late December 2025, after living costs soared and the national currency plunged. At first, people took to the streets over economic pain. Soon, the demonstrations turned political and spread to 180 cities in all 31 provinces by early January 2026.
Protesters called for major change, creating one of the most serious challenges to the clerical system since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Security forces answered with deadly force. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, HRANA, says more than 7,000 people were killed, most of them protesters, including children. Iranian officials put the toll at more than 3,000, including members of the security forces.
At the same time, internet shutdowns and communication blackouts made it hard to record the crackdown as it happened. Rights groups now warn that many more detainees are facing capital charges tied to the uprising.
Governments, Athletes, and Rights Groups Speak Out
Reaction from abroad came quickly and sharply:
- Amnesty International said the trials were a sham and called for an urgent inquiry into reports of torture.
- Iran Human Rights, based in Norway, warned that more executions could follow and said the state is using fear because it sees its own people as the biggest threat to its rule.
- White House spokesperson Olivia Wales called Iran a “terrorist regime” and said the killings showed why current U.S. military action against Iran remains necessary.
- Olympians and athletes around the world expressed support for Mohammadi and said the regime is even targeting young sports figures.
- The European Union and Sweden issued strong condemnations, especially after Iran separately executed a dual Iranian-Swedish citizen one day earlier.
Activists, including Iranian-American campaigner Masih Alinejad, pushed the issue across social media and urged governments to impose tougher sanctions and back Iranian protesters.
Now, many countries are calling for urgent steps to stop more hangings. Reports say dozens of other protesters remain on death row.
Iranian officials have defended the executions. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said there would be “no leniency” for anyone convicted of violent acts during the protests. Meanwhile, state media described the men as terrorists acting under foreign influence.
The executions also come during Iran’s war with Israel and the United States. Strikes in late February killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, deepening the regional crisis. Since then, officials have blamed the January unrest on what they call terrorist activity backed by Washington and Tel Aviv.
Warnings of More Executions Ahead
Rights groups fear these hangings may be only the start. Iran Human Rights said it is deeply worried about political prisoners who could be executed in the “shadow of war.” Hundreds of cases are still pending.
At the same time, activists are raising concerns about other detained athletes. They fear the authorities may go after more sports figures because those athletes carry public appeal and can become symbols of resistance.
Iran already ranks second only to China in the number of executions carried out each year. Last year alone, the country reportedly carried out at least 1,500 hangings. Earlier crackdowns, including the protests of 2022 and 2023 and the 2025 conflict with Israel, also ended with dozens of executions.
What the Hangings Could Mean for Iran and the World
Analysts say the public nature of these executions shows Tehran’s approach clearly. The state appears determined to frighten anyone thinking about joining the opposition. During war and economic collapse, the government seems set on projecting control through fear.
Still, the move has drawn even stronger backlash abroad. Calls for harsher sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and more support for Iranian dissidents are growing louder. Human rights groups are pressing the United Nations and Western governments to act before more young prisoners are killed.
For many people, Saleh Mohammadi now stands as the face of this crackdown. The teenage wrestler, whose future ended at the gallows, has become a symbol of a wider campaign of repression. His international profile has also pushed more of the world to pay attention.
As anger keeps building, one demand is coming through clearly from capitals across the globe: Iran must stop the executions. The world is watching.
